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Mr Tappin said American customs officers had misled him over the goods he was buying, falsely assured him he did not require a license and lied over the arrest of his business partner.

He denied he had ever been involved with arms deals, but admitted that during his career he has worked with clients all over the world.

The grandfather was arrested at his five-bedroom house in Orpington, Kent three months ago after being charged in relation to the alleged export plot in February 2007.

His involvement began when Robert Gibson, a business associate, approached him claiming to be working with a firm in America to export batteries to Holland.

Mr Tappin claims he was then caught out by an American company by Mercury Global Enterprises, a front for customs agents which his lawyers said "deliberately acts in order to entrap unsuspecting people".

He said the company assured him that licenses 'would not be a problem', but later accused him of not obtaining them, adding: "They misled me by sending me paperwork which clearly stated 'no license required'."

Agents also told him Mr Gibson had been injured in a car accident when he had in fact been arrested, he said.

Mr Tappin is being represented by Karen Todner, the solicitor who is fighting to prevent Gary McKinnon being extradited to America over claims he hacked into the Pentagon's computer system.

His lawyers argue his case should be heard in Britain, where the alleged offence took place and where he lives with his wife, who is seriously ill.

There a fears that a trial in America, where federal prosecutors routinely pressure defendants to plead guilty for reduced sentences and to become co-operating witnesses, could put him at an "exceptional disadvantage".

Ben Seifert, spokesman for Karen Todner, said Mr Tappin was unaware the batteries were "anything to do with Iran or anything to do with missiles" and believed they were for "perfectly peaceful and non-military means".

He added: "This is a case in which the Customs agents caused the offence to be committed rather than merely providing an opportunity for the defendant to commit it.

"Ultimately the US agents resorted to proactive deceit and told lies in order to attempt to ensnare and entrap a respected British businessman."